Luke 21:9-10 (NIV) 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
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Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
wars - πολέμους (polemous) - Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's Greek 4171: A war, battle, strife. From pelomai; warfare.
rebellions - ἀκαταστασίας (akatastasias) - Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's Greek 181: From akatastatos; instability, i.e. Disorder.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: instability, a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion, dissensions, seditions, tumults or commotions of war
be alarmed - πτοηθῆτε (ptoēthēte) - Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's Greek 4422: To terrify, scare, strike with panic. Probably akin to the alternate of pipto or to petomai; to scare.
10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
wars - πολέμους (polemous) - Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's Greek 4171: A war, battle, strife. From pelomai; warfare.
rebellions - ἀκαταστασίας (akatastasias) - Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's Greek 181: From akatastatos; instability, i.e. Disorder.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: instability, a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion, dissensions, seditions, tumults or commotions of war
be alarmed - πτοηθῆτε (ptoēthēte) - Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's Greek 4422: To terrify, scare, strike with panic. Probably akin to the alternate of pipto or to petomai; to scare.
Cross References
Matthew 24:6-7 (NIV) 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Mark 13:7-8 (NIV) 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Josephus the Jewish, and Tacitus the Roman, historian - the former in his 'Jewish Wars,' and the latter in his 'Annals' - describe the period which immediately followed the Crucifixion as full of wars, crimes, violences, earthquakes. - Pulpit Commentary
After Jesus was crucified, resurrected and ascended into Heaven, we know of a war that happened during the days of the first churches. 66 AD-73 AD First Jewish–Roman War between the Roman Empire and the Judean rebels: Sadducees and Volunteers from Adiabene. And, throughout the world, wars and battles, uprisings and rebellions have occurred on a horrible scale. Just a few terrible wars were the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the American War of Northern Aggression (Civil War), Napoleonic Wars, etc. The largest wars, of course, were World War I and World War II, in which the entire world was involved. Millions upon millions of people have died in wars. The more modern the war, the more people have died because of modern technology. But brutality and horror have accompanied all wars. Sin has entered the hearts of men and the evil that is conceived is truly terrifying.
In the New Testament ‘the last days’ were introduced by the coming of Christ, and His death and resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:16-21). Thus all that it really prophesies is war, war, war, which, with lulls, will rise and fall in intensity until the consummation. - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Luke 21:5-6 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
The Jewish historian Josephus says that the Temple (in Jerusalem) was covered on the outside with gold plates, that were so brilliant that when the sun shone on them, it was blinding to look at. Where there was no gold, there were blocks of marble of such a pure white that strangers, from a distance, thought there was snow on the temple.
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Some 40 years after Jesus said this, there was a widespread Jewish revolution against the Romans in Palestine, and they enjoyed many early successes. But ultimately, Rome crushed the rebels; Jerusalem was leveled, including the temple-just as Jesus said.
It is said that at the fall of Jerusalem, the last surviving Jews of the city fled to the temple, because it was the strongest, most secure building in the city. Roman soldiers surrounded it, and one drunken soldier started a fire that soon engulfed the whole building. Ornate gold detail work in the roof melted down in the cracks between the stone walls of the temple, and to retrieve the gold, the Roman commander ordered that the temple be dismantled stone by stone. The destruction was so complete that today, they have true difficulty learning exactly where the temple was. - David Guzik, Study Guide of Luke 21, BlueletterBible.org, (italics mine)
We have discussed that prophetic words usually have 3 levels of fulfillment: soon thereafter, within their lifetime; throughout history are other fulfillments; end time fulfillment.
We have seen that these verses have been fulfilled within the lifetimes of the Disciples/Apostles. They have been fulfilled throughout history with war after war. Leading up to the last 110 years. We had World War I, the Russian Revolution, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the wars in the Middle East.
But there will be an End Time fulfillment. The rise of the anti-Christ in Revelation 13 will begin a time of war like never before. His aim is to take over the world and establish a one-world government that he controls with an iron fist. Anyone who resists him or doesn't follow his party line will be a target to overcome. After the world suffers from many "natural" disasters and plagues in Revelation, it will be ripe for a world leader who will promise them prosperity, protection and peace. But the violence will be unprecedented.
The main thing is not to be afraid! Our redemption draweth nigh through Jesus Christ! We may have to experience terrible things but we don't have to be swallowed up by it. He has not left us alone. He has given us the Holy Spirit to enable and empower us even during bad times. Jesus says, "do not be frightened" because we are protected from these things. These things happen so that God's purpose shall be fulfilled. It is good for these things to happen as it means the end is drawing close and all will be revealed, redeemed and recreated. For Christians, it should be a time of wonder at seeing God's prophecies being fulfilled and knowing He is in control and will bring about the ultimate perfection and good. As the evil increases, the closer the end when He comes back and takes control and sets everything right!
It naturally distresses us to see such evil and horror increase. It naturally scares us. But God tells us, throughout the scripture, that we do not need to be afraid. Our end is assured and it will be wonderful! Let's look at scriptures to encourage us.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Philppians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Isaiah 35:4 Tell everyone who is discouraged, Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Isaiah 41:13-14 For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 118:6-7 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
Deuteronomy 3:22 Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.
Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.